Price Paid:  $400.00 from The Sound Room

Summary:
I have used this Receiver for several years, starting in the Dolby Pro Logic days. It has perfomed really well for a low-priced receiver, even as my home theater has evolved into a full Dolby Digital Surround System.

I have never had a problem of any kind with this piece. I use it mainly for HT, but occasionally listen to 2-channel sources. It perfoms admirably under both scenarios.

I use the mains-in connections for amplification for the rear and center channels, only. I use an external DD AC-3 processor, a separate 2-channel amp for the front main speakers, and have all video connections made directly to the monitor. This, of course, greatly reduces the number of features that I actually use on the receiver, but I still have been pleased with the performance of this piece.

Overall, a great performer.

Strengths:
Clean Power, Dolby Digital Ready, Pre-Out and Mains-In connectivity,

Weaknesses:
No DD decoding or digital connections.

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Israel, Second Hand

Summary:
I bought it as a second hand low cost solution for a Home Theater system.
As some one with quite of a good knowledge in the area of Hi-Fi systems,
Unlike the previous ppl that have wrote in earlier comments that this Receiver is very good, I seem not to agree.
As a proud owner of a Denon PMA 560 integrated amplifier since 1994,
I can assure you that the Yamaha RXV592 isn’t that much of a good product.
It doesn’t have a good sound quality,
The DSP modes in general, for ppl who know about music, is useless!!! except I guess for techno music or disco, which is a synthetic sound, where quality isn’t relevant what so ever.
Comparing The Denon integrated amplifier to the Yamaha rxv592, revealed that the Yamaha doesn’t have a good quality of sound. maybe comparing the Yamaha 592 to a low cost AV receivers will show better results,
but for some one who have got used to the quality of a good integrated amplifier solution, this test reveled that the Yamaha 592 isn’t an option for a good jazz or classical strings as sorry as I am.
for movies, it isn’t bad, but for good music, it is not even a reasonable solution.

secondly, I must say, that to the contrary of some one who said earlier that this machine is built solid,
the Yamaha 592 is not even close to the quality of a good made in Japan Denon I have. the balance button has already gotten loss, and I have to hold it in position and play with it a little till it holds to a stable signal to the speakers. (it has some loss connection in the knob I assume) and this means this isn’t a good sign for a "very solid" built as some others stated.
in general: for a 120$ second hand solution for movies alone, it might be a good buy.
for serious music and the rest, this isn’t even an option.

Strengths:
cheap
sounds not very horible

Weaknesses:
isnt adequate for music.
maybe for ppl who understand nothing in music and listen to techno and disco it might sufice.
for jass and clasical music, keep your hands away from that model.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Hobo Hifi

Summary:
I have used this amp for more then 4 years now. I have it hooked up to two (DIY) Visaton two-way speakers and a REL Q100-E subwoofer for stereo listening. The 70 watt (max) output per main speaker is sufficient even when integrated with my sub with 100W RMS (200W max) amp. It has taken some time and effort to achieve the full and harmonic sound that my system now delivers, but this was mostly because of room acoustics. It's the quality of the main channel output that matters for Stereo listening and given the price and age I give it 5 stars for that.

For HT, I use the 5.1 discrete input which is connected to a Yamaha S795 DVD player for DTS and DD decoding. The only thing separating this machine from today's DD / DTS receivers is the power on the rear channels, which is rated at 35W max. Therefore I run the Rear Channel signals through a Yamaha DSP-E492 which outputs 70 watts to each rear channel. This gives me full Dolby Digital with equal power to all channels. If it weren't for the E492, which I already had for other purposes, I would have probably upgraded to a newer DD/DTS model long time ago. Now I just can't seem to bother, because the 592- and 492's amps handle the discrete output of the DD/DTS decoder fantastically. A lof of credit goes to the five KEF KHT 2005 HT-system speakers as well. I only use the KEF sattelites (KEF delivers these sattelites with a sub) and have integrated them with my REL sub. The sound from the five channels is superb. The sub output on the 592 cuts off any frequencies below 150Hz, and if this is done, this makes an audible difference in the mid and high range.

For HT, given age and price I give it five start again.

If you can get your hands on one for little money, it's worth it, even if for Stereo listening alone.

My System:

Yamaha RX-V592
Yamaha DSP-E492
Yamaha DVD-S795
Yamaha CDX-593
Philips 32PW9525
Visaton Two - way DIY
KEF KHT 2005 (sattelites only)

Strengths:
Design, Very good HT and Stereo sound for a receiver in this range.

Weaknesses:
No led on volome knob,
Remote
No Coax or Optical Connections

Price Paid:  $1750.00 from American TV

Summary:
Okay, so I have had this for five years now, I think I know all the ins-and-outs of it. PLEASE NOTE that on the purchase price, this was a PACKAGE deal. For that price I got the receiver, and an Infinity speaker package. I think the receiver was around $500 by itself at the time.

First of all, the simplicity of this unit cannot be understated. In this day and age of DSP's, inputs, and plethora of other features, try finding something that allows direct button access anymore. Everyone has these jog dials that force you to scroll through long lists to locate what you are looking for. Example, the nine DSP's on this unit can be selected by a logically laid out grid of DIRECT access buttons. Newer units require scrolling through as they have too many DSP's to have buttons (by the way, in my usage, more than these nine DSP's are a waste of money, you will never use them.) About the only thing I did not care for with this was the display. The orange 'union-jack' character display seems quite dated, but for some, that shows the purity of design and function. Oh well, they put the money in design and build, not the multicolored display that dimms in rythym with the bass.

When hooked up to my DVD through the discrete six channel inputs, the DD and DTS is great! I keep it in a glass faced cabinet with the door closed (my young daughter likes to push all the pretty buttons), and I have no problems with heat. This receiver is ideal for someone looking to power a surround sound system without the need for complex video switching or the 6.1 or 7.1 formats. The A/B speakers are also nice for multiroom audio. And judging by the weight, it was built to be around a long time. In my five years, I have been nothing but happy with it.

For reference, my system is:
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V592
Fronts: Infinity RS-3
Rears: JBL Music 2 sats
Center: Infinty CC-1
Sub: Infinity BU-1 powered sub
Zone 2 Speakers: Infinity RS-1
DVD/CD: JVC XV-FA90BK 7 disc prog. scan with DD/DTS built in
VCR: Samsung stereo unit
TV: Hitachi 36UX 36"

If you are looking for a solid, base performer and can use the decoders built into your DVD for DD/DTS, then you can't go wrong with this unit. With the arrival of DD/DTS satellite signals, however, I now need to upgrade to built-in decoders with my receiver. So, if it's any consolation to my Yammy, it will be replaced with a $1,000 Onkyo TX-DS797. I would have gone back to Yamaha for the replacement, but I won $500 in a store contest and that store is not an authorized Yamaha retailer.

Strengths:
Simple and intuitive to use.
5.1 inputs make it expandable.
Level controls for all speakers.
Plenty of inputs.
Accomodates dual center channels for large screen tv's.
Remote is very comprehensive with buttons for everything, learning capability, and macro capable.

Weaknesses:
For most, remote is too much.
Component video switching only.

Similar Products Used:
None - first HTR receiver used.

Price Paid:  $217.00 from Second Hand

Summary:
Bought it from a guy, second hand.. pleased with the way it sounds, and the way it behaves. The remote control is way big, and sometimes clumsy to use.. but, all in all, a great piece of hardware...

Strengths:
Great sound.. lots of connections, fine tuning for surrounds, center and sub(s)

Weaknesses:
Missing an optical input for a DVD... also missing a coaxial connection. Missed an internal sub x-over.